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# Maysalward launches NARD Guild for MENA board game creators
- URL: https://www.isakaba.com/maysalward-launches-nard-guild-for-mena-board-game-creators/
- Published: 2026-08-21T14:42:27.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-21T14:43:03.000Z
- Description: "Talent without a connected support system remains isolated," said Maysalward CEO Nour Khrais
- Author: Isa Muhammad
- Tags: News, MENA, Maysalward

Jordan-based developer [Maysalward](https://www.isakaba.com/maysalward/) has launched NARD Guild, an Arabic-first community for board game creators across the region. 

NARD stands for Narrative, Art, Rules, and Design, the four elements the initiative says must come together before a board game earns its place on the table. The name also doubles as the Arabic word for dice.

Drawing on 23 years running Maysalward, Khrais said the game industry needs more than developers to thrive, pointing to education, mentorship, investment, publishing, community, and policy as equally necessary pieces. 

"Board game creators are an important part of that system," said Khrais in a [post](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nourkhrais%5Fthe-game-industry-is-not-built-by-developers-ugcPost-7496519312535633920-Y%5F19/?utm%5Fsource=share&utm%5Fmedium=member%5Fdesktop&rcm=ACoAADA2zEgBuKxehsQU-SLfoN6C7mrw1YTSrcE). "Through the NARD Guild community... we see how board game designers bring valuable knowledge of mechanics, player psychology, storytelling, and community testing before ideas become costly digital products."

**Filling a gap**

NARD Guild is positioned to bring writers, illustrators, designers, and testers into one space rather than leaving creators to work in isolation.

"A healthy industry connects educators, creators, studios, investors, publishers, and policymakers," Khrais added. "The key gap in our region is the path between talent and market: mentorship, funding, publishing opportunities, and policy that helps local ideas survive and grow."

Maysalward is one of the Arab world's longest-running game studios. Earlier this year, the studio [launched its Golden Agers workshop](https://www.isakaba.com/maysalwards-golden-agers-workshop-is-a-bet-that-games-belong-to-everyone/), a full-day training programme aimed at adults 65 and above.

You can register for NARD Guild [here](https://www.nardguild.com/form?ref=isakaba.com).